2015 Rugby World Cup odds: are they in England's favour?

England's odds against the three biggest competitors of the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Thousands of St. George's Cross flags will be waving in Twickenham Stadium when England opens the 2015 #Rugby World Cup.

England's coach, Stuart Lancaster will be announcing the squad on 20 May and gear-up to win the cup.

Another 2003?

In the 5th RWC of 2003 England emerged victorious after beating hosts Australia 17-20. Although the team has placed in the top four multiple times, the English supporters are hoping the cup won't leave the country.

Lancaster gave a bunch of youngsters the opportunity to wear the national jersey. Since then Lancaster has chosen a side and moulded over the years.

The players have grown together.

They know each other's styles, strengths and weaknesses. By having spend a lot of tours together the players' team spirit and unity has become something patriotic.

Although the English team is the only team who beat the All Blacks since the last World Cup they struggle to embody world class play as the aggregated caps are less than most of the opposition.

The rivals

England's biggest three competitors are usually the southern teams of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia- all of which have been titleholders twice. Australia has been bunked to the favourites bench after performing appallingly in their 2014 spring tour. Taking their spot in the top three competitors' list is Ireland.

Ireland's call

After knocking Scotland 10-40, Ireland bumped England off of the top of the Six Nations table and took the title.

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Since then Ireland has become a serious contender for the WRC.

Coach Joe Schmidt has selected a talented and exceptionally powerful team, which has come a long way from the 2011 RWC where Ireland booted out in the quarter finals.

Ireland's hopes are held up by the fact that they have great offensive skills who carried over phases fiercely in the Six nations tournament, although they have problems with consistency.

Springboks approaching

The Springboks are famous for playing consistent, hard and physical rugby. They have a spread of junior and senior world class players, with fly-halfs and backs who always rank at the top after every RWC.

Even though they won most of their matches in 2014, the way they played out left supporters uneasy after the season ended.

South Africa will most likely make the quarter finals as they are placed in Pool B where their biggest competition is Scotland- whom they beat to a pole with a 55-6 win in the 2014 mid-year test.

The 'Haka'

The All Blacks are the safest bet to take the cup in the upcoming RWC.

Tactically the New Zealand team outshines everyone else and they have seasoned players like Conrad Smith and Richie McCaw who bring important experiences and skills to new comers.

However, they slump when they pass the pool stage. The two World Cups they won were on their home turf. Without home support it will be interesting to see if they can pull another one out of the bag.

What are the odds for England?

Simply put, England stands a big chance at winning the 2015 RWC. They have a team that is comparable to that of the 2003 winning team. Not forgetting that they have the biggest benefit of all: home support. Overall, England needs to keep calm and keep focus if they want to lift the cup when they host the tourney later this year.

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